This Sunday’s Gospel • John 20:1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb....[ continue reading ]. Lectionary scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Note: We will continue with virtual worship this Sunday, April 12.
Update from the Bishop
By our Bishop's directive, following the recommendations of our Governor, as of Monday April 13 we will no longer be recording Daily Encouragement, worship, or music videos from our church building. Except for a few videos that may be recorded on site before that date, everything else will be recorded at our homes. This more closely observes the current "stay at home" guidelines which we pray will reduce the spread of infections and protect the most vulnerable among us. Remember that God honors the intentions of our minds and hearts when we worship, no matter when or where we perform that worship.
Walking the Stations of the Cross
At the beginning of Lent, we started a community project to create our GHTC stations of the cross. These panels were to be colored by members of the various groups who came to GHTC during the week. We started beautifully, but COVID-19 stopped us in our tracks. Five additional households (including Mayo House, our Diocesan Offices) colored the remaining posters. The results are on our website here . You can download the readings and meditate upon the Way of the Cross from Jesus' Long Night in Gathesemene through the Joyful Resurrection at your leisure. We had intended to walk this together on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. But now, though we are physically distant from one another, we can connect spiritually by "walking the stations" online. You can download the prayers and readings that go along with the images here .
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Worship Services Online
This year our worship services during Holy Week will be online. If you did not see the Palm Sunday service, you can access it here . Find the most current worship services on the Grace and Holy Trinity YouTube channel and also on the home page of the church website . You can watch these services at your convenience in your home, and they feature music, traditional liturgy and prayers. Invite a friend to join you by sharing the YouTube links.
Alleluia "Chorus"
You may have seen videos like   this   floating around social media in the past few weeks. With the help of Megan and Peter Womack we would like to include something like this in our Easter Sunday Worship. If you are interested in participating and adding your voice to the Easter Acclamation, you can either send your vide o of you shouting "The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!" or just an "Alleluia!" to  Mo. Kim  or Megan or let them know you want to join in the zoom recording session! Let's get together online and get our alleluias on record! 
From Children, Youth, and Family Ministries
Holy Week is a journey we take with Jesus each year through the final stretch of Lent as we approach the cross on Good Friday, the grave on Holy Saturday, and then the empty tomb on Easter morning. Though we can’t gather physically for our regular Holy Week services this year each of these will be available digitally, and there are even ways for you to observe this sacred season at home. Check out these activities for all ages you can try at home this Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday as we travel from the penitence of Lent to the joy of Eastertide.
Two New Online Bible Study Opportunities
Mary Ann Blankenship will be facilitating the Good Book Club's study of Matthew's Gospel. Find out more about the Good Book Club here . Bill Queen will be facilitating a study of Mark's Gospel. Both groups will meet weekly via Zoom throughout the Easter Season (Apr. 12 - May 31) on days and times to be selected by their participants. Contact Mary Ann and/or Bill if you are interested in one, or both, of these Bible study groups.
Easter Offering to Benefit FeedMore
The Vestry voted to donate this year’s Easter offering to FeedMore. You can give online through your credit or debit card, or contact Judy Bowman if you need help setting up a gift through your bank account. Although we may be physically separated the work of the church continues. We are the church—and each individual’s contributions collectively plays an important part in the WE.

As we face uncertainty in our region, our nation, and our world, we continue to have hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Your gifts help us share that hope—and God’s love—with every individual. If you would like to make a secure online gift, please watch this online tutorial or contact the church at 804.359.5628 to request help.
UnderGround Kitchen Partners with Diocese of Virginia
Although our building is closed to the public, our kitchen is being used to help feed even more people in need, including health care workers, EMTs, fire and police. Learn more about GHTC’s involvement with this important partnership through the Diocese of Virginia and The Underground Kitchen .
CirclesRVA Moves to Virtual Meetings
For more than 75 weeks, Grace and Holy Trinity’s parish hall has been buzzing on Tuesday evenings. Families and children fill the space as parents learn to move out of poverty and into stable jobs and housing. It’s an 18 month process broken down into one hour segments. Now the meetings are held by conference call, Zoom or GoTo meeting online platforms. According to Kristin Blalock, the CirclesRVA coordinator (and busy mother of four children ages 9-13), the virtual meetings allow leaders to stay on track with the curriculum, even if they are dialing in by phone. This week, volunteers will be delivering donated Costco lasagna and other groceries to more than 20 families who are involved in CirclesRVA. A new class of volunteers will be able to participate in virtual training through eight non-consecutive sessions between May 12 and July 30. To learn more, contact Kristen Blalock or visit CirclesRVA's website .
ECM at VCU
Students and Mother Kim, the chaplain for Episcopal Campus Ministry, have been "hanging out" having picnics, coffee dates, and group texts. One of our members shared compline from Shrinemont this week! It's been a wild time, but we are staying in touch. If you know anyone who needs a pastoral care check-in and is a VCU community member they can contact Kim at 757-655-1877
Red Door Continues on Fridays
Lots of sandwiches are being made and distributed by a minimal number of volunteers. Mother Kim has posted videos on Facebook so you can see what is happening each week. Social distancing and cleaning protocols are being strictly maintained. According to volunteer Wendy Smailes, it feels “good to be at church…it’s different because you can’t invite people in for a service.” 
Who will Face Harriet Tubman for the Golden Halo?
Lent Madness is heating up as we get into the Faithful Four. Be sure to keep track of your bracket because those who pick the right winner will get a commemorative mug to remember their victory (and if none of us win whoever got closest will win). Let Aaron Davis know if you win to claim yours.
Scholarships Available for Student Tuition
Grace and Holy Trinity Church Endowment Fund makes funds available each year, based on need, for tuition assistance for members of our church.  Barbara Derry chairs the Scholarship Committee. Her phone number is 740-2938, and her mailing address is 8900 Norwick Rd., Richmond, VA 23229. Interested families are encouraged to be in touch.
Spirited Sisters & April 26 Special Music Postponed
As the Governor of Virginia and the Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia work to provide safety during the coronavirus pandemic, our gatherings are strictly limited until June 10. If you are part of a small group, such as the Spirited Sisters, please take a moment to reach out by phone or email to stay connected. Missing a phone number or email? Check the online church directory and if you have trouble, contact Judy Bowman .
In light of current restrictions, the Adult Choir’s presentation of Rutter’s “Gloria” and Parry’s “I Was Glad” with the James River Brass and Percussion has been postponed from the originally scheduled date of Sunday, April 26. You can listen to previously recorded online selections .
Quick E-Mail Connections

Staff Contacts
To reach staff by phone, call the church number 804-359-5628 followed by the staff member's extension. To see a full list of church extensions and emails check our our website .